Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence brings training and industry insight to Seatrade Cruise Global 2026
Aquila Founder Beth Hatt (left) and Vice President Melanie Colpitts (right) with Cruiseport Destinations’ Gigi Sao, Chief Operating Officer, and Jeannette Piñeiro, Chief Executive Officer, at Seatrade last year
Tuesday, April 14: Whalesong Destination Award Presentation
On Tuesday, Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence will present its annual Whalesong Destination Award, recognizing excellence in cruise destination performance and long-term investment in people.
Presented each year by Aquila, the award honors organizations that demonstrate a sustained commitment to strengthening the visitor experience through training, collaboration and community engagement. Previous recipients include ProColombia and Puerto Rico, recognized for their leadership in building resilient, people-centered cruise destinations.
Wednesday, April 15: Hidden Performance Gaps Panel
Aquila Vice President Melanie Colpitts will moderate a featured panel addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: gaps in destination performance that can undermine the overall cruise experience.
As cruise lines continue to innovate onboard, guest expectations for shore experiences continue to rise. Elements such as port welcome, guest flow, service consistency, authenticity and value perception play a critical role in shaping satisfaction, revenue and long-term loyalty. However, variability in service standards, fragmented coordination and reactive collaboration can quietly erode results.
Panelists include:
Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President, Government & Destination Affairs, Carnival Corporation
Alexander Gumbs, Chief Executive Officer, Port St. Maarten Group
Leyla Öner, CEO and Co-President, Tura Turizm
Matthew Weintraub, Director, Port Operations, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
As expectations continue to rise, destinations that shift from reactive problem-solving to strategic performance management will be best positioned to support the next phase of cruise growth.
Thursday, April 16: FCCA Booth Training Sessions
Aquila will host two 15-minute training sessions at the FCCA booth #975, offering practical insights for destinations and experience operators:
10:30 a.m. — Build It Right: Designing Experiences That Drive Demand
An overview of best practices for creating authentic, market-aligned shore experiences that resonate with today’s travelers.
11:30 a.m. — Turning Meetings Into Revenue
Strategies for effective follow-up that build relationships and convert conversations into confirmed business.
Both sessions are free and open to Seatrade Cruise Global attendees.
Aquila representatives will be available throughout the week to meet with industry partners and discuss destination performance strategies. For more information on Aquila, visit cruiseexcellence.com.
About Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence
Aquila is the leading destination training provider for the global cruise industry. They offer training strategies for international destinations, tour companies, tour guides, and front-line operators. With over 35 years’ experience in the cruise industry, Aquila is committed to cruise destination success through values-driven partnership with cruise lines and destinations.
For more information on Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence and its training programs, visit cruiseexcellence.com.
Natalia Lopez
Marketplace Excellence
+1 201-861-2056
email us here
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